S African govt steps in after school bans Muslim headgear

Updated on: Tuesday, August 30, 2011

The South African government ordered a school here to review its religious policy after Muslim students were banned from wearing their traditional headgear during the month of Ramadan.

The boys at Wingen Heights Secondary School, in the mainly Indian suburb of Chatsworth, were asked to remove their topis (traditional skull caps worn by Muslim males) or leave their classroom because it was not in compliance with the school's dress code. The boys opted to leave.

Angry parents and religious leaders held an urgent meeting with school authorities before the boys were allowed to return to their classes last Friday with their topis on.

Citing the religious rights enshrined in the South African constitution, parents sought an apology for the initial ban and an assurance via the Education Ministry that there would be no recurrence.

"(The Ministry) will host a workshop with the school on religious policy and assist it to develop a religious policy which is compliant with the national policy on religion," said spokesman Sihle Mlotshwa.

Two years ago, a Hindu mother here went to the Equality Court and won a landmark case after a private school refused to allow her daughter to wear a nose ring to school as part of her cultural practice.

S African govt steps in after school bans Muslim headgear

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